What is DUNE Really About? | Frank Herbert's Saga Explained

A discussion of the central theme of Frank Herbert’s Dune series and how it plays into and underlies many of the other messages found throughout his legendarium. The recent hype and attention surrounding the Dune IP due in large part to the release of Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptation, has sparked widespread discussions about the underlying themes of Frank Herbert's iconic story.

Art Credits
Dune by Frank Herbert by Marc Simonetti
Dune Foldspace Heighliner by Euderion

License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported "Share Alike" (CC BY-SA 3.0) License.

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

*Fair Use*
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.
Use of any copyrighted material in this video qualifies as fair use.

[HernasRoom]

It's about the dangers of mindlessly trusting ANY chosen leader (cult of personality). Even one designed to be perfect.

[NameNotAChannel]

The key themes I take from his books is "Blindspots" and thinking for one's self.
When people put their faith in a charismatic leader, they stop thinking for themselves and leave themselves open to dangers in their "blindspot."
When people allowed thinking machines to make decisions for them, it first lead to wars between people using thinking machines, which then lead to the Butlerian Jihad (this was not the rise of evil AI to destroy humanity.)
When people put blind faith into supposed religious leaders, without question, they leave themselves open to dangers in their "blindspot."

Paul was written as the perfect blind spot. He was given the support of the Missionaria Protectiva, establishing a ready and willing following across the imperium -- this granted him religious authority. He was a good man, wanted the best for people, had the logical and analytical powers of a mentat, the physical perceptiveness, control, and genetic memories of all male humanity from the Bene Gesserite training, and the prescient foresight of the guild navigators. If ANYONE could be said to have the best position to lead mankind, with that wealth of past human experience, and foresight, a person like that would come close to the mark.

However, Paul was just as vulnerable to blindspots as the rest of us. Putting his faith in his prescient vision, he gave up on thinking for himself, and let himself be carried along by "destiny", effectively. He allowed himself to think he was trapped by knowing the future, and yet there were many possible futures, and many "troughs" in which his vision was clouded. He saw those areas he couldn't see in his visions as bad things, but those were opportunities.

Now, I differ with the author on the matter of religious faith, but a great many religions do fall into man-made false stories that succumb to Frank Herbert's warnings. I also differ with him on the belief in the reality of oracular sight (oracles, use of tarot to predict the future, etc), while I do believe in prophesy recorded in the Bible. I won't get into either of those things here.

Anyway, that's enough for this... and without taking much time to formulate all my thoughts on the matter.

[Dickie]

@Nerd Cookies. I saw the post on twitter about people slamming your voice. I think that’s just trolls, I think you’re doing a great job, your voice and the way you narrate and inflect in I your videos is awesome! I wasn’t really into Dune at first but these new films and your videos have sparked an interest. Looking forward to move to come!

[houseofthegoldenflower]

New subscriber found you on FNT, you explain the subject matter so well.Looking forward to all your future videos.

[theemissary]

The message i got from the books was the problems that spring from the gap between being a leader and being led. Leto pessimistically recalls how the other houses look to him for leadership as Leto the Just, knowing how that puts him in the firing line of the unjust like the Emperor and Baron. Paul likewise sees how lost some of his subjects are and how critics don't understand the choices he makes while the subjects view him as not understanding the human cost of some of his choices.

[londomolari]

I'm always impressed by Ms Cookies writing.

[bill-gb]

I could listen to everything you say. All day. I love Dune and I love your voice. Please tell me it's your real voice. Great job with these essays. I've been watching a binge worth already. Cheers.

[athrawes]

I'm really hoping with Dune Messiah that the Spacing Guild will be given it's due course.

[MultiMojo]

The movie should have been 30 minutes longer, covering the importance of spice and the spacing guild. Neither part 1 nor 2 went into detail as to why spice was so important. I didn't quite understand the importance until watching this video. Well done !

[bber]

I got to watch Dune 2 last night in IMAX and it was great! The movie, the cinematography, acting, we're all great. But the thing I loved about Dune 2 was that it kept Frank's original message. It hammer's it home pretty good and theme is pretty prevalent. Yes, they did change some characters, timelines, and scenes from the book, but the message is still there.

[Razorblaydes]

I learn almost as much thru reading the comments as I do listening to the actual videos, love the sci-fi community on YouTube

[ralphfisher-dj]

I read dune when I was 15 and it blew me away. It was 1965 and I had no idea what an ecologist was not to mention a planetary one! I think your analysis is spot on. How interesting how prophetic some science fiction can be.

[treydixon]

As always, wonderful video.

I've been in awe of Dune since I first read it decades ago. Just my opinion, of course, but I have been struck by the care he put into the texture and world building.

The lesson is that we shouldn't blindly follow charismatic leaders. But the Fremen culture had been manipulated to the degree that the individuals in the current day (Stilgar, Chani, and even Kynes) weren't blindly following anything. They were making clear, sensible choices given their situation.

To be clear, I'm not arguing against the conclusion or that it was what Herbert intended. I'm just fascinated at the work, the skill and effort he put into setting up the situation so that characters could observe, reason, and decide the way they did.

As Thufir would say "plans within plans within plans."

[sgt.grinch]

You are my go to person for SCI-FI news. Thanks Elaine.

[richardrickford]

The warnings from Dune are chilling and disturbing but utterly utterly necessary.

[gerhard]

So good to see you on FNT today. Hope you appear more often. Love the artwork you use in your Dune videos. I'm seeing the movie on Imax on Sunday and can't wait.

[TheRogueAttraction]

Great video, people tend to gloss over the multiple layers of subtext and parallels with our own history. 👏

[duanebrankley]

You are my go to source for SciFI stuff. I tell all about how good you are. Thank You, Keep Up the Awesome work!

[InstylePhotographics]

As always, terrific video and analysis.

I have my reserved seat for an IMAX showing on Sunday. Also, just preordered the 4K steelbook today. Looking forward to multiple viewings in my home theater.

[SeppukuOH]

SO Good to see you on FNT! Keep up the great videos!